- USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group heads to the Middle East
- READ MORE: Follow the day’s latest developments in our live politics blog
The United States is preparing for Iran or its proxies to attack Israel as early as this week, according to White House national security spokesman John Kirby.
He confirmed on Monday that the United States is increasing its military presence in the region and said President Joe Biden had spoken with European allies about supporting Israel.
This comes after Israeli officials said they expected to be attacked within days, in retaliation for the recent killing of key Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.
“We share the same concerns and expectations as our Israeli counterparts regarding the possible timing… which could be this week,” Kirby said in a telephone news conference.
“We continue to watch it very, very closely, and it’s difficult to determine at this particular time whether there is an attack by Iran or its proxies, what that might look like, but we have to be prepared for what could be a significant set of attacks.”
The Pentagon said Sunday that the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group had been ordered to accelerate its deployment to the Middle East.
The region has been on edge since Israel killed a senior Hezbollah leader in Beirut last month. A day later, Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, was assassinated in Tehran.
Iran holds Israel responsible and has vowed revenge.
“We obviously don’t want Israel to have to defend itself against another attack, as happened in April. But if that’s what happens to them, we will continue to help them defend themselves,” Kirby added.
On Sunday, the Pentagon announced it was sending a guided-missile submarine to the Middle East and that the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group was accelerating its deployment to the region.
On Monday, Biden spoke with the leaders of the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany and France as concerns mounted.
“We express our support for Israel’s defense against Iranian aggression and against attacks by Iranian-backed terrorist groups,” they said in a joint statement.
“We call on Iran to desist from its constant threats of a military attack against Israel and discuss the serious consequences for regional security if such an attack were to take place.”
The United States is preparing for Iran or its proxies to attack Israel as early as this week, according to White House national security spokesman John Kirby.
Smoke rises following Israeli shelling in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on August 11, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and urged him to abstain.
“The Prime Minister said he was deeply concerned about the situation in the region and called on all parties to de-escalate and avoid further regional confrontation,” a spokeswoman said.
“There is a serious risk of miscalculation and now is the time for calm and careful reflection,” the Prime Minister said. He urged Iran to refrain from attacking Israel, adding that war benefits no one.
The region was plunged into conflict on October 7 last week when Iranian-backed Hamas gunmen attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people.
Since then, nearly 40,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza.
Talks aimed at achieving a ceasefire and the return of the remaining hostages held by Hamas are due to resume this week.
